Mr Crean says the debate about the timing of the vote has distracted MPs from the substance of the bills.

"The process could've been handled better and - I've made the point on previous occasions - we get hung up more about issues around lack of process than we do the content," he said.

"We are where we are and we've got to deal with it through a better process now.

"You won't get the right outcomes unless you go through proper process and I hope it's another lesson to all of us about the right way to do things."

During today's caucus meeting, chief government whip Joel Fitzgibbon also raised concerns about how the Government has handled the media laws.

Proposed media reforms

The appointment of a Public Interest Media Advocate (PIMA) to oversee self-regulatory bodies such as the Press Council.

The PIMA, who will be appointed by the Minister, will decree whether a media complaints handling body is "authorised". Only media organisations that are members of an authorised body are able to maintain their exemptions to privacy laws.

The PIMA will also use a new public interest test to allow or prevent nationally significant media mergers.

An extension of the Government's commercial television licence fee rebate - saving free-to-air television networks an estimated $134 million this financial year.

A removal of the 75 per cent audience reach rule that prevents metropolitan television stations from owning partners in regional areas.

An update to the charters governing the ethics and behaviour of the ABC and SBS to reflect online and digital activities.

Mr Fitzgibbon told MPs the Government had not laid the groundwork for the change and needed to focus public debate more on the victims of the media, raising the example of sports stars and grieving families.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard responded by saying the Government could not be naive about the nature of the debate, adding that companies would report their own arguments.

She said it was inevitable there would be a fight over media law changes.

Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten also defended the Government's handling of the media law changes.

"It's a negotiation. It's not necessarily where you start, it's where you finish," he said.

"In negotiations the trick is to respect the different points of view. I think in negotiations it's always about trying to find the win."

The Coalition joint party room, meanwhile, has agreed to support two of the bills in the Government's media package.

It will vote in favour of the licence fee reduction for TV stations.

It says it will also support the bill for ABC and SBS, if the Government deletes a clause that stops commercial providers from tendering for Australia's international television network.

'Minor imposition'

The author of a review used to shape Labor's proposed media laws says the changes would only be a minor imposition on press freedom.

Ray Finkelstein has addressed a Senate committee examining the Government's bills for the media industry.

Senior media executives have criticised the proposals as intrusive and draconian and the Opposition says they will restrict free speech.

Mr Finkelstein said there was one area where an editor could be told what to publish.

"That is the editor should publish an apology, the editor should publish a retraction or the editor should publish a correction," he said.

"Now as I read this legislation, that is the beginning and end of imposition on a free press.

"That doesn't affect free speech funnily enough because the editor and the journalist can say what they like."